Should a Christian adopt methodological naturalism?
Abstract
It has become standard practice for scientists to avoid the possibility of references to God by adopting methodological naturalism: a method that requires scientists to assume that the natural world is all that exists. In this essay, I critique the Christian commitment this method, arguing that a Christian’s practices should always reflect her belief that the universe is created and sustained by the triune God. This leads me to contend that the Christian should adopt a theologically humble approach to the sciences (instead of methodological naturalism), with which she humbly acknowledges that special divine action is not discernible by empirical science. To further my critique, I consider three ways in which the practice of methodological naturalism can be particularly problematic for Christianity.
Citation
Torrance , A B 2017 , ' Should a Christian adopt methodological naturalism? ' , Zygon , vol. 52 , no. 3 , pp. 691-725 . https://doi.org/10.1111/zygo.12363
Publication
Zygon
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0591-2385Type
Journal article
Description
The author thanks the John Templeton Foundation for funding the Scientists in Congregations, Scotland program, which gave me the opportunity to work on this article in continual conversation with scientists across Scotland.Collections
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